What book is on the nightstand?

I make it a point to cut my ties with a lot of academic reading during the summer, because I do enough when I am teaching. This Summer, I have been fascinated with a book called "The Wonder of Boys" by Michael Gurian (Thanks, Mom!!). This book reflects on the different learning styles of boys and girls--and really focuses on the fact that boys have been somewhat left behind in the education process while everyone determines how to meet the needs of girls. I distinctly remember learning about how to reach girls in my classroom when I was getting my degree in education. I don't remember learning any specific techniques that cater to the learning styles of boys. Now that Carson is here, I am VERY motivated to understand what boys need at a young age to help them learn better, and at the very least what they need to unlock the potential in their brains!
Here are a couple of my favorite little tid-bits so far:

1) The Corpus Collossem in the female brain is 25% larger than in a male brain. This means that information travels faster between the two brain hemispheres for girls, and that boys need a little bit more processing time when changing tasks.

2) The male brain has less Serotonin than a female brain. Serotonin is the chemical responsible for calming anxiety and allowing for stretches of time where the body can sit quietly. In adults, a lack of Serotonin causes insomnia. For kids, this means that boys can't sit still as long as girls. In school--this is rarely accounted for! Also, it is predominantly boys who fidget and move around--which is mostly looked at as disruptive. In reality, boys ARE paying attention even though they are moving around and tapping something on a desk.

3) This is my favorite: for young boys, there is a technique called the "Ball Bounce" to help them access and verbalize their feelings. When a boy is frustrated or angry (or positive emotions I would guess as well), take a ball and bounce it between you and him while you are asking him about his feelings and processing. Bouncing the ball stimulates blood flow to his brain, and this will open up more access to emotions, and teach him how to express these feelings!

Cool stuff, eh? I am having a great time learning all about it! :)